Microsoft's latest Azure newsletter highlights expanded migration incentives, new Fabric capabilities, and upcoming events designed to help partners accelerate customer AI transformations.
Microsoft's February 2026 Azure newsletter delivers a comprehensive update on platform innovations, partner incentives, and upcoming events designed to accelerate AI-powered transformation. As customers increasingly demand not just technology but strategic guidance, this month's announcements focus on empowering partners to lead migration and modernization efforts with confidence.
New Secure Migration Partner Investments
Microsoft is expanding its commitment to secure cloud migrations with new investments in Microsoft Defender for Cloud. InfraDB-specialized partners and Azure Expert Managed Services Providers (MSPs) holding the Solutions Partner for Security designation are now eligible for workshop incentives. These incentives aim to drive Defender for Cloud adoption during migration and modernization projects.
Partners can access helpful resources through the new Cloud Security Envisioning Workshop, which provides structured guidance for improving cloud workload security postures. For deeper insights, the Azure Migrate and Modernize Partner Forum recently hosted a Secure Migrations webinar, with the recording and additional content available to forum members.
Expanded Capabilities in Microsoft Fabric
Microsoft Fabric continues its rapid evolution with several significant announcements. The launch of Fabric IQ establishes a semantic foundation for enterprise AI, bringing crucial business context to how artificial intelligence transforms data into actionable intelligence. This development addresses a critical need in the market where organizations struggle to bridge the gap between raw data and business insights.
Microsoft is also expanding Fabric's reach through third-party integrations, positioning OneLake as the central hub for data regardless of its origin. Whether data resides in Databricks, SAP systems, or Google BigQuery, OneLake aims to provide unified access and management capabilities.
In a major milestone, both CosmosDB and SQL Database are now generally available within Fabric, accelerating application development workflows. This integration eliminates traditional data silos and enables developers to build intelligent applications more efficiently.
Database Portfolio Expansion
Microsoft is strengthening its database offerings across the entire spectrum from on-premises to cloud to SaaS. The general availability of SQL Server 2025 and Azure DocumentDB marks significant milestones in the company's database strategy. Additionally, the preview of Azure HorizonDB for PostgreSQL introduces new levels of performance and scalability to PostgreSQL workloads, addressing growing demands for high-performance open-source database solutions.
AI Services Integration
The partnership between Microsoft and Databricks deepens with the integration of AI/BI Genie into both Copilot Studio and Microsoft Foundry. This integration brings natural language analytics capabilities to a broader audience within organizations, democratizing access to advanced analytics and enabling more users to derive insights from their data without specialized technical skills.
Partner Incentives and Offers
Microsoft is introducing substantial financial incentives for software development companies (SDCs) to accelerate customer migrations and modernizations. Solutions Partners with certified software designations—including Azure, Security, and Industry AI—can earn up to $175,000 for qualifying Customer Migrate & Modernize engagements. The "ISV Engagements" tab in the incentives guide provides detailed information on these opportunities.
The Secure Every Workload initiative offers incentives for partners hosting Microsoft Security Envisioning Workshops, designed to improve cloud workload security postures. These workshops represent a valuable business development opportunity while addressing critical security needs in the market.
Azure Accelerate emerges as a unified offering within the Microsoft AI Cloud Partner Program, bringing together Azure Migrate and Modernize, Azure Innovate, and Cloud Accelerate Factory. All these services build upon the foundations established by Azure Essentials, creating a comprehensive ecosystem for partner success.
Cloud Accelerate Factory provides no-cost deployment assistance for more than 30 Azure services, with expert support and joint delivery regardless of project size. This offering removes traditional barriers to Azure adoption and enables partners to deliver value more quickly.
Dr Migrate, an AI-assisted platform for cloud migration planning, is now available within Azure Accelerate. Eligible partners can request licenses through Azure Accelerate to run environment and proof of value assessments with customers. A recent partner webinar, "Driving Confidence Through AI-Assisted Cloud Migrations," provides additional insights into leveraging this powerful tool.
Upcoming Events and Skilling Opportunities
The Microsoft Azure Summit partner pre-day event on March 10, 2026, offers an exclusive preview of the upcoming Microsoft Azure Summit: Migrate & Modernize with Agentic AI event. Partners will gain early access to key messages, product announcements, and breakout themes, along with insights into how these updates translate into concrete partner opportunities.
The main Azure Summit events are scheduled for March 12 (Asia / EMEA) and April 23 (Americas), focusing on how AI-assisted migration and modernization tools can help customers modernize quickly and efficiently.
FABCON/SQLCON 2026, now co-located from March 16–20, 2026, in Atlanta, represents a critical opportunity for partners to explore the latest innovations and connect with customers, Microsoft, and peers. The Partner Day on March 17 provides dedicated networking and learning opportunities.
The Azure Cosmos DB Conference 2026 on April 28 will showcase how Cosmos DB powers some of the world's most powerful AI applications, highlighting the database's role in the AI transformation journey.
Microsoft is also hosting a series of Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions with Fabric leadership. The Fabric Partner Community regularly hosts these sessions, with upcoming AMAs featuring Amir Netz, Bogdan Crivat (CVP, AZURE DATA ANALYTICS) on February 17, Shireesh Thota (CVP, AZURE DATA DATABASES) on March 24, and Yitzhak Kesselman (CVP, MESSAGING AND RTAP) on May 12. These sessions provide partners with direct access to senior engineering leaders for product insights, roadmap discussions, and open Q&A.
Skilling opportunities include Microsoft Project Ready's February workshop on Data Factory, equipping partners to build cloud-scale data pipelines, transform data with Dataflows Gen2, and navigate migration guidance from Azure Data Factory. March workshops will focus on Fabric IQ or Advanced Real-Time Intelligence, allowing partners to deepen their expertise in cross-ecosystem intelligence and real-time analytics at scale.
With the 2027 deadline for SAP S/4HANA migration approaching, Microsoft emphasizes the importance of expanding skills to move SAP workloads to S4/HANA. The SAP on Azure offerings include Partner Ready and Sales Ready courses designed to empower business managers to unlock Azure benefits and equip sales teams to effectively position SAP on Azure solutions.
Go-to-Market Resources for SMBs
Small and medium-sized businesses represent a massive and growing opportunity for Azure partners. Microsoft has developed three campaign kits aligned with the most promising Azure opportunities in the SMB segment. These resources are designed to help partners start customer conversations and build pipeline.
The Migrate and Modernize Your Estate (SMB) campaign kit provides practical guidance, ready-to-use campaign assets, and a partner opportunity deck. This collection enables partners to drive faster migrations, expand AI and security conversations, and build long-term customer relationships through a repeatable motion.
Microsoft-in-a-Day workshops offer a powerful business development opportunity for partners to position themselves as subject matter experts on Fabric and Power BI. These workshops enable direct engagement with new customers and pipeline growth.
The new Digital Sovereignty specialization allows partners to showcase their expertise in secure, compliant, and sovereign cloud solutions. Partners meeting rigorous audit criteria gain enhanced visibility, priority access to sovereign cloud opportunities, and specialized badging, helping customers maintain control of their data while driving innovation.
Partners who already hold an Analytics on Microsoft Azure specialization can pursue Fabric Featured Partner endorsement from Microsoft. The requirements and application process are available for those looking to further differentiate their expertise.
Conclusion
Microsoft's February 2026 Azure update demonstrates a clear strategic focus on empowering partners to lead AI-powered transformations. Through expanded migration incentives, enhanced Fabric capabilities, comprehensive skilling opportunities, and targeted go-to-market resources, Microsoft is providing partners with the tools and support needed to succeed in an increasingly competitive cloud market.
The emphasis on secure migrations, AI integration, and SMB opportunities reflects Microsoft's understanding of current market dynamics and partner needs. As organizations accelerate their digital transformation journeys, partners equipped with these resources and capabilities will be well-positioned to guide customers toward successful outcomes.
For partners looking to stay current with Azure developments, Microsoft recommends following the Azure news tag and connecting with the Azure Partners discussion board. These resources provide ongoing access to the latest announcements, engineering insights, and peer networking opportunities essential for success in the Microsoft ecosystem.
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